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| Newly Acquired SP/RP Roberto Hernandez |
On December 18, 2013 it was reported that the Phillies were indeed inking Roberto Hernandez to a 1 year deal with a base salary of $4.5 million. Included in the deal, are several incentives of varying amounts based off the amount of innings pitched by Roberto in 2014. Hernandez was coming off a rather poor 2013 with the Tampa Bay Rays, turning in a 4.89 ERA at seasons end. What he did provide the Rays with was innings every 5th day in the rotation. This kind of pitcher was sorely missed on the 2013 Phillies' squad. Going along with Bert's ability to eat up innings all year, he has a very healthy career 57.1% ground-ball rate, a stat that plays well within the confines of hitter friendly CBP. I'd say the Phillies' front office realized that information, along with the fact the NL and more specifically the NL East is a much easier league & division to pitch in, and decided that Hernandez was their man for the 5th spot in the 2014 rotation.
